Gevangenneming van Johannes de Doper c. 1540 - 1572

Pieter van der Heyden created this print titled 'Imprisonment of John the Baptist', sometime between 1525 and 1569. Its monochrome palette is dominated by intricate line work, creating a visually arresting scene full of tension. The composition is arranged around a central figure on an elevated throne, flanked by onlookers, as John the Baptist is brought forward, bound and vulnerable. Van der Heyden's skillful use of line and shading not only defines form but also establishes a hierarchy of power. The etching technique allows for remarkable detail. The controlled execution emphasizes the texture and emotional depth of the narrative unfolding before us. The structure of the artwork invites us to consider how the themes of religious authority and individual defiance are portrayed through the artist's formal decisions. The lines create a sense of confinement, reflecting the Baptist's fate, but also open up questions about justice, judgement and the spectacle of public condemnation. How does the artist use the formal elements to reflect cultural and philosophical concerns about power, law and morality?